"National High School Soccer Selection Tournament – Chiba Prefecture Finals."
The match underway was between Seigawa High School and Roben Technical High.
The score stood at 0–2, with only thirty minutes left on the clock. If Seigawa couldn't turn things around soon, they'd lose their shot at Nationals.
Yet, on the bench, Seigawa's coach sat quietly, eyes fixed on the field as if oblivious to the looming defeat.
"Hey, old man. If you don't let me in soon, we're gonna lose."
The coach didn't answer immediately. He turned his head toward the silver-haired boy sitting beside him.
That boy had sharp, striking features a strong jawline, high nose bridge, and crimson-red eyes that gleamed with teasing amusement.
The coach thought to himself, No wonder they call him the most handsome player in Seigawa's history.
The boy grinned.
"Not that I care. But seriously, how are we letting that weak team score two goals? That's just pathetic hahaha."
The coach stared blankly at him. They're your teammates, you know…
But he was already used to this attitude.
He checked his watch.
"Ryan, have you reflected on your behavior yet?"
Just two days earlier, Ryan Hoshino had gotten into a fight with three teammates and injured all of them.
Fortunately, the incident hadn't spread thanks to the coach stepping in, but as punishment, Ryan was benched for the first half of the finals.
"Of course, coach! I'm overflowing with guilt. Can't you see the tears of regret in my eyes?"
Ryan dramatically clutched his chest. The coach could only sigh and shake his head.
"Fine. Go warm up. You'll be going in soon."
Ryan stood, saluted playfully, and replied with a smirk:
"Yes, sir."
Moments later, Ryan was subbed in.
The crowd immediately erupted.
"Kyaaa! Hoshino-kun is so handsome!"
"How can someone look that good?! I'm gonna faint!"
Ryan walked onto the field at a leisurely pace, spreading his arms as if soaking in the applause.
"Hey, that's the 'Miracle Kid' from Seigawa High," one fan whispered. "Last year he carried them to a national title. Without him, that team wouldn't even reach top sixteen."
"Tch. What's so special about him? He just hasn't faced me yet. I bet he can't score three goals in thirty minutes."
The two Roben strikers exchanged words one confident, the other clearly nervous.
The whistle blew. Seigawa prepared for a throw-in.
The player with the ball looked around for an open teammate.
Ryan was tightly marked by a tall, muscular defender at least 182 centimeters. But Ryan wasn't small either; he stood 187 centimeters, built like a sculpted athlete.
"Oi. Pass it to me."
His teammate hesitated, intimidated by Ryan's tone, but eventually threw the ball to him.
The defender lunged to block, but Ryan sidestepped effortlessly, positioning himself between the man and the ball.
The defender tried to push back, but Ryan didn't budge solid and immovable like a mountain.
The ball dropped; Ryan cushioned it with his chest, let it fall to his feet, and in one swift motion, flicked it backward through the defender's legs.
By the time the defender realized, Ryan was already sprinting downfield with the ball.
He blazed past one defender after another, Roben's players rushing to close in. Suddenly, Ryan feinted lightning fast bursting forward like a cheetah. His sheer acceleration left his opponents in the dust.
Reaching the edge of the penalty area, Ryan drew back his right leg and struck like a whip.
The ball rocketed forward like a cannon shell, slamming into the net before the goalkeeper could react.
1–2.
The stadium roared. Seigawa's players were reinvigorated; Roben's began to crumble.
Ten minutes later, Ryan did it again dribbling through defenders, then smashing the ball into the net.
2–2.
Only five minutes left. The crowd was electric, chanting his name.
Then, with two minutes to go, Ryan stole the ball at midfield.
Without hesitation, he looked up and shot.
Everyone thought it was a desperate attempt… until they saw the goalkeeper too far from the line.
The keeper sprinted backward, but it was too late. The ball arced beautifully, brushed his fingertips, and dropped into the net.
3–2.
The stadium erupted in thunderous cheers. Seigawa's bench exploded with celebration.
The coach jumped up, pumping his fists, while Roben's players collapsed in despair defeated at the last moment.
When the final whistle blew, Seigawa High School had completed an impossible comeback.
Ryan stood at the center of the field, basking in the roar of the crowd as his teammates lifted him into the air.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, a man with a bowl haircut and glasses slurped instant noodles, eyes glued to a computer screen playing Ryan's match highlights.
"Ryan Hoshino, huh… omoshiroi (interesting)."
After the game, Seigawa's players exited the locker room.
"Ryan!"
A clear female voice called out. Everyone turned a long-haired beauty was approaching.
"Mai? What are you doing here?" Ryan asked, surprised to see his girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima.
"Obviously I came to congratulate you, ace."
"Hah. Victory's normal for me. What's there to congratulate?"
"Baka! I just wanted to see you, can't you tell?"
They laughed and walked off together. Ryan waved back at his teammates.
"I'm heading out. Coach, enjoy the victory party."
As the pair left, whispers broke out among the team.
"Wait, wasn't that the actress Mai Sakurajima? She's Hoshino-senpai's girlfriend?!"
"Heh, that's nothing. I heard he's got three girlfriends. All total beauties."
"You're right and they're all the same type: long black hair!"
Meanwhile, Ryan wrapped an arm around Mai's shoulders.
"So, big star, what made you come see me play today? I thought you'd forgotten about me."
He wiped imaginary tears from his eyes.
"Forgotten you? Please. I should be the one worried. You're always hanging around with Yukino and Utaha."
"Ahem let's not talk about that. Let's celebrate. You brought that, right?"
"Mm-hmm…"
Mai blushed, pulling a bunny-girl outfit halfway out of her bag before quickly hiding it again.
"Hahaha! Then let's go my place tonight."
The next morning, Ryan opened his mailbox to find an envelope from the Japan Football Association.
He tore it open and read aloud.
"Designated Player Program? Ryan, what's that?"
Mai, lying on his back, leaned over his shoulder to peek at the letter.
Ryan smirked.
"Blue Lock, huh… It's finally here."